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Standardized Emergency Management System

Planning ＆ Preparedness

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​August 2017 SEMS Update:

The EOC Credentialing Guidelines have been added to the SEMS documentation below.The Guideline documents can be referenced below under the category of SEMS Related Documents. For more information please contact Scott Marotte, Scott.Marotte@caloes.ca.gov. The Cal OES NIMS web page provides information on the Federal NIMS Update.

Why SEMS?

In order to respond to frequent and multiple disasters occurring anytime and anywhere in the state, it is important that emergency response agencies operate within a clear and consistent organizational structure. Public agencies are increasingly required to manage the costs of emergencies more effectively with fewer resources. Many different agencies must work together effectively to protect lives, property and the environment during disasters. SEMS facilitates priority setting, interagency cooperation, and the efficient flow of resources and information.

What is SEMS?

The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) is the cornerstone of California’s emergency response system and the fundamental structure for the response phase of emergency management. The system unifies all elements of California’s emergency management community into a single integrated system and standardizes key elements.

SEMS incorporates:

- Incident Command System (ICS),

A field-level emergency response system based on management by objectives.

- Multi/ Inter-agency coordination,

Affected agencies working together to coordinate allocations of resources and emergency response activities.

- Mutual aid,

A system for obtaining additional emergency resources from non-affected jurisdictions.

- Operational Area Concept -

County and its sub-divisions to coordinate damage information, resource requests and emergency response.

System Maintenance

Cal OES has developed a SEMS Maintenance System to address the need for changes. The three-tiered system encompasses an Advisory Board, Technical Group, and Mutual Aid Regional Advisory Committees (MARACs). Collectively, these multi-agency groups ensure changes are made to the system when necessary. They include representatives from all disciplines involved in emergency response. The Cal OES Emergency Management Systems Unit (EMSU) supports these multi-agency groups to ensure the improvements are methodically reviewed, evaluated, and approved.

Compliance

SEMS is required by the California Emergency Services Act 2015 Edition (ESA) for managing multiagency and multijurisdictional responses to emergencies in California. State agencies are required to use SEMS and local government entities must use SEMS in order to be eligible for any reimbursement of response-related costs under the state’s disaster assistance programs.

Training

An Approved Course of Instruction (ACI) is available, consisting of four courses:

- Introduction to SEMS

- Field Operations

- Emergency Operations Center Course

- Executive Course

Each course contains modules that can be used either as a series or separately, depending on the training needs of the organization. For additional training information email Michael Brady, Michael.Brady@caloes.ca.gov.

​SEMS-NIMS Integration

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the overall statewide integration of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to meet federal NIMS requirements and timeframes. NIMS was developed by the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pursuant to Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-5 to ensure that all levels of government across the nation have the capability to work efficiently and effectively together, using a national approach to domestic incident management.

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